boxing

Monday February 13, 2017

 

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday February 13, 2017

A face-to-face meeting is Trudeau’s best bet for dealing with Trump

Batten down the hatches. All the old Canadian insecurities are about to gust up to hurricane force.

January 11, 2016

A young, inexperienced, left-leaning Canadian prime minister, alone in the Oval Office with a NATO-chomping Republican silverback who will — not — shut — up — about how tough and smart and smart and tough and winning and tough and smart he is.

It’s enough to make you cover your eyes and peek between fingers. The kid’ll get eaten alive. There’ll be nothing but freshly picked-over bones of part-time drama teacher on the grassy floor of the Trump enclosure when it’s done. The Sun headlines write themselves.

There’ll be time for Kevin O’Leary to shout “Bambi vs. Godzilla!” 40 times before Justin Trudeau’s aircraft even leaves the tarmac at Ottawa airport.

Unless things work out differently. They could, you know.

November 12, 2016

Twenty days elapsed between Donald Trump’s inauguration and the announcement, Thursday morning, that Justin Trudeau will spend Monday in Washington. Surely that was plenty of time for the prime minister and his staff to go back and forth a dozen times over whether it’s even a good idea to get into the big guy’s personal space.

Maybe this whole relationship could be managed by telephone. Maybe they could tweet at each other. Maybe surrogates could do the heavy lifting. Harjit Sajjan, the defence minister, has worked with American soldiers. Chrystia Freeland’s been on CNN. Maybe Trump and Trudeau could meet, but just not quickly. Give everything a chance to settle down. What harm could there be?

Those sentiments seem to have put an extra week or two into the delay before Trudeau’s trip. But there are good reasons not to wait longer. (Continued: Paul Wells, Toronto Star)

 

Friday, August 5 – August 16, 2016

Illustration by Graeme MacKay - 2016 Summer Olympic Games - illustration used for the cover of a special section devoted to the sporting event held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The process involved drawing and colouring the individual characters. Next was determining how they would best fit into a space roughly measuring 8.25 x 10.5 inches. (See Olympic-cover2). The background was chosen to be divided 5 ways: water, athletic indoor, athletic outdoor, track, and gymnastics.) Estimated completion time: 18hrs. Rio, 2016, Olympic, Games, Summer, Archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, golf, field hockey, javelin, discus, shotput, relay, pommel horse, balance beam, uneven bars, gymnastics, breaststroke, sidestroke, butterfly, rowing, rugby sailing, shooting, synchronized, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling, couch potatoes

Illustration by Graeme MacKay – Friday August 5, 2016

2016 Summer Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Summer Games Gallery

Rio – June 30, 2016
Rio – July 5, 2016
London – August 3, 2012
London – July 27, 2012
Beijing – August 14, 2008
Beijing – August 7, 2008
Beijing – March 24, 2008
Athens – September 1, 2004
Athens – August 19, 2004
Athens – August 12, 2004
Athens – August 5, 2004
Athens – February 23, 2002
Athens – August 16, 2004
Sydney – September 9, 2000

Friday June 24, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday June 24, 2016 British PM David Cameron to step down this year in wake of EU vote Prime Minister David Cameron says he will resign by the fall and insists the British people's will must be respected after voters chose to leave the 28-nation European Union. "I do not think it would be right for me to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination," Cameron told reporters outside 10 Downing Street just before 8:30 a.m. in London. Cameron, in power for six years, said he will resign by the time of the Conservative party conference in the fall. He turns 50 on Oct. 9. "I held nothing back," he said. "I was absolutely clear in my belief that Britain was stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union É but the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path.Ó Cameron said he had spoken to Queen Elizabeth II about the steps he was undertaking to prepare the government for new leadership. British stocks are plunging as the market opens as investors scramble to react to the news. The pound has hit a 31-year low. Cameron sought to reassure investors and markets that "Britain's economy is fundamentally strong.Ó When he promised the referendum, in 2013, Cameron said it would "settle this European question in British politics" once and for all. He told voters he would forge a new deal between Britain and the EU that would make remaining an attractive prospect. At a Brussels summit in February, he won changes to welfare benefits that he said would reduce immigration and an exemption for Britain from the EU's commitment to "ever-closer union" Ñ a phrase that stirs images of a European super-state in some patriotic British hearts. (Source: CBC News) UK, Great Britain, England, David Cameron, EU, Brexit, boxing, European Union, referendum

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 24, 2016

British PM David Cameron to step down this year in wake of EU vote

Prime Minister David Cameron says he will resign by the fall and insists the British people’s will must be respected after voters chose to leave the 28-nation European Union.

“I do not think it would be right for me to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination,” Cameron told reporters outside 10 Downing Street just before 8:30 a.m. in London.

Cameron, in power for six years, said he will resign by the time of the Conservative party conference in the fall. He turns 50 on Oct. 9.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday June 22, 2016 ÔBrexitÕ Vote Will Change Europe, No Matter the Outcome If the U.K. decides in ThursdayÕs referendum to leave the European Union, it would shake the continent to its political foundations. Even if it stays, the bloc may never be the same. A decision to leave, which would be a first by a member nation, would deepen the crisis facing a continent already struggling with economic weakness, debt problems, large-scale migration and growing geopolitical instability to its south and east. At a minimum, politicians and officials say, a British exit would transform the blocÕs balance of power. Negotiations over a new relationship would consume the EUÕs energy at a time when European institutions are struggling to respond to the other problems. A U.K. exit also could disrupt financial markets and fire up anti-EU forces in other countries. Whether or not the U.K. leaves, change is coming. In February, U.K. Prime Minister David CameronÊstruck a deal with the rest of the EU to restrict migrant benefits and detach Britain from the blocÕs push for an Òever closer union.Ó Mr. CameronÕs effort to claw back power from Brussels, coupled with the referendum at home, is an approach that other European politicians are promising to follow, potentially fragmenting the bloc further. The referendum, at a minimum, has delivered a shock to EuropeÕs political classes, calling into question what some had once regarded as an inevitable march toward a federal EU. ÒObsessed with the idea of instant and total integration, we failed to notice that ordinary people, the citizens of Europe, do not share our Euro-enthusiasm,Ó European Council President Donald Tusk observed in a speech in late May. ÒThe specter of a breakup is haunting Europe, and a vision of a federation doesnÕt seem to me like the best answer to it.Ó (Continued: Wall Street Journal)Êhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/brexit-vote-will-change-europe-no-mat

Wednesday June 22, 2016

“I held nothing back,” he said. “I was absolutely clear in my belief that Britain was stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union … but the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path.”

Cameron said he had spoken to Queen Elizabeth II about the steps he was undertaking to prepare the government for new leadership.

British stocks are plunging as the market opens as investors scramble to react to the news. The pound has hit a 31-year low.

Cameron sought to reassure investors and markets that “Britain’s economy is fundamentally strong.”

When he promised the referendum, in 2013, Cameron said it would “settle this European question in British politics” once and for all.

He told voters he would forge a new deal between Britain and the EU that would make remaining an attractive prospect. At a Brussels summit in February, he won changes to welfare benefits that he said would reduce immigration and an exemption for Britain from the EU’s commitment to “ever-closer union” — a phrase that stirs images of a European super-state in some patriotic British hearts. (Source: CBC News)


 

Saturday February 27, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday February 27, 2016 No mixed martial arts or boxing, please, weÕre Hamilton (By Andrew Dreschel) For a city that claims to be open for business and eager to generate revenue, Hamilton sure has a funny way of showing it. Get a load of this story. Boxing promoter Tyler Buxton figured he had a perfect fight card lined up at the city-owned Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena. After preliminary bouts between local pros, the main event would feature Hamilton's own Kevin Higson defending his Canadian super welterweight championship in front of a hometown crowd. But then the word came from city staff Ñ no combat sports allowed at city-run facilities. Why, you ask? We'll get to that. For now let's just say banning combat sports is not a council-approved policy. It's strictly a staff decision. Buxton, president of United Boxing Promotions, was stunned by the refusal. How could this be? Boxing is a legal and licensed sport, overseen by the Ontario Athletics Commission, which sets rigid safety, medical and liability insurance standards. Buxton has run boxing events in city-owned community facilities in Ajax and Belleville, and regularly stages fights at the Hershey Centre, privately managed but owned by the City of Mississauga. "This is the first time I've ever had any issues," he says Maybe the first for him, but he's not alone. Garnet Ace, president of Global Warriors, tried to run a mixed martial arts (MMA) event at the Mountain Arena. The Ancaster resident says city staff was initially very receptive to renting to him until he got a phone call several weeks later. "Somebody at City Hall basically said, 'No, we don't want it. It's against our policies.'" Ace says he pressed but didn't receive a more detailed explanation. Instead, he moved the event to Burlington's city-owned Central Arena last May, which was attended by about 2,500 fans. Both promoters say they want to grow events in Hamilton. Id

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 27, 2016

No mixed martial arts or boxing, please, we’re Hamilton

(By Andrew Dreschel) For a city that claims to be open for business and eager to generate revenue, Hamilton sure has a funny way of showing it.

Get a load of this story.

Boxing promoter Tyler Buxton figured he had a perfect fight card lined up at the city-owned Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena.

After preliminary bouts between local pros, the main event would feature Hamilton’s own Kevin Higson defending his Canadian super welterweight championship in front of a hometown crowd.

But then the word came from city staff — no combat sports allowed at city-run facilities.

Why, you ask?

We’ll get to that. For now let’s just say banning combat sports is not a council-approved policy. It’s strictly a staff decision.

Buxton, president of United Boxing Promotions, was stunned by the refusal. How could this be? Boxing is a legal and licensed sport, overseen by the Ontario Athletics Commission, which sets rigid safety, medical and liability insurance standards.

Buxton has run boxing events in city-owned community facilities in Ajax and Belleville, and regularly stages fights at the Hershey Centre, privately managed but owned by the City of Mississauga.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had any issues,” he says

Maybe the first for him, but he’s not alone.

Garnet Ace, president of Global Warriors, tried to run a mixed martial arts (MMA) event at the Mountain Arena.

The Ancaster resident says city staff was initially very receptive to renting to him until he got a phone call several weeks later.

“Somebody at City Hall basically said, ‘No, we don’t want it. It’s against our policies.'”

Ace says he pressed but didn’t receive a more detailed explanation. Instead, he moved the event to Burlington’s city-owned Central Arena last May, which was attended by about 2,500 fans.

Both promoters say they want to grow events in Hamilton. Ideally, Ace would like to do four at the Mountain Arena this year alone.

FirstOntario Centre and Hamilton Place are too costly to rent. Private convention facilities too small. With a seating capacity of 3,000 or more, the Mountain Arena is the ideal venue.

The problem is, city staff keep turning thumbs down. It’s not clear who’s making the call or how far up the ladder it goes. Recreation director Jack Brown bounced inquiries to communication staff. (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Tuesday July 14, 2015

Tuesday July 14, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday July 14, 2015

Harper says Canadian economy in ‘downturn’ due to negative global trends

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday June 13, 2015 Bill C-51 is killing the LiberalsÕ chance to become the official Not-Harper party The federal LiberalÕs cynical centre-of-the-road support of the ConservativesÕ latest anti-terrorism legislation may be hampering its bid to become the Not-Stephen-Harper party. The signs have been apparent for weeks: Liberal ÒprogressivesÓ Ñ the civic-minded, donating, engaged grassroots types vital to the survival of the party Ñ have found themselves horrified by leader Justin TrudeauÕs support for a bill that has been criticized, hyperbolically, as the forerunner to a Canadian police state. The party has faced overwhelming social media criticism from its grassroots, a sudden surge of polls showing the NDP neck-and-neck with the Liberals and the Tories and, lately, there are even more ominous signs of Liberal struggle. At least four Liberal candidates have stepped down in recent weeks and some tangential evidence suggests that a backlash over C-51 may be at least part of the reason. Of course, the trend pales in comparison to the handful of high-profile Conservative incumbents who have recently stepped aside ahead of OctoberÕs general election. It also happens to be fewer than the number of NDP candidates who have similarly done so Ñ although the Dippers find themselves short due to their unexpected success in Alberta. (Three federal candidates were elected to the provincial legislature in May.) While the Alberta bump may be contributing to the federal NDPÕs rise in the polls, C-51 may be simultaneously weighing the Liberals down. The Liberals announced they would support a mildly amended C-51 earlier this year in what was largely thought to be a bid to bolster the partyÕs flailing national security credentials. TrudeauÕs contradictory stance on CanadaÕs military mission in Iraq and Syria proved to be none too popular among the middle class heÕs so arduously trying to court. But if TrudeauÕs ob

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the government will react with “strong fiscal discipline” to the “downturn” in the Canadian economy, which he blamed on the recent turmoil in the global economy.

“Let me just state clearly what the situation is, there has been a downturn and the reason for that has been the downturn in the global economy,” Harper said in Pickering, Ont.

Wednesday January 21, 2015“It’s really that simple. Look around the world, we have another crisis downturn in Europe, we have a very significant slowdown and some other related economic problems now in China, we had very negative first quarter growth in the United States.

“So those things have obviously affected this country and in particular through oil prices and some commodity prices.”

Wednesday January 14, 2015Harper added that the federal government will not “spiral ourselves into deficit” and face credit downgrades, create an “investment freeze” by hiking taxes on businesses or take away tax breaks to Canadian families.

“Those are things we don’t do,” he said. “What we are doing, is providing strong fiscal discipline with lower taxes and we will have very large scale investment going into the Canadian economy this month alone through the increased universal child care benefits.”

Harper said that the outlook for the Canadian economy is favourable for the rest of the year, just days after Finance Minister Joe Oliver said it was too early to tell whether Canada has slumped into a recession. (Source: Toronto Star)